Coin released skill game apparatus



Jan. 8, 1952 Q FRlCK 2,581,644

00m RELEASED SKILL AME APPARATUS Filed May 13. 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. CHESTEQ A7. FQ/C/d Jan. 8, 1952 c, FRlcK 2,581,644

COIN RELEASED SKILL GAME APPARATUS Filed May 15, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

CHESTEE 7. FQ/CK 77 7' GENE Jan. 8, 1952 c. A. FRICK COIN RELEASED SKILLGAME APPARATUS 3 SheatsSheet 3 Filed May 15, 1949 INVENTOR. CHESTEIQ 1Q.FQ/CK Patented Jan. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT QFF QE COIN RELEASEDSKILL GAME APPARATUS I Chester A. Frick, Glendale, .Calif. ApplicationMay 3, 1943, Serial No. 93,100

This invention relates to amusement devices and particularly to acoin-released device. in which the player is required to exerciseconsider.- able manual skill to achieve a required result upon which hemay be rewarded by a return of the amount put into the machine torelease it. The machine sets up a test for the degree of muscularcoordination possessed whichis a measure of the skill of the player andnothing in its operation is left to chance. In general, the play:- ingarea comprises a hemispherical compartment through which a manipulatingmember extends having means to engage a series of cubesor other flatsided playing. pieces contained in the-compartment and by .means ofwhich the playing pieces. maybe picked up and placed one support whichis delicately balanced. The objectof the game is to stack a requirednumber of these pieces on the support Without causing it to beunbalanced. The support is so connected with electrically operated meansthat if the unbalance'exceeds a predetermined amount, an operatingcircuit is closed causing the machine to be rendered inoperative untilagain released for playing by insertion of another coin. The soledetermining factor of whether a player obtains a reward for his attemptis his personal skill in achieving the requiredresult. It is allied tocoin released-ma.- chinesfor testing physical strength but instead ofmeasuring the limit of some particular muscular actionsuch as gripping,striking, or pulling, the device presents a challenge to the playerssteadiness of hand and his coordination of eye and hand as will beapparent from the detailed description of ,onemode of execution of theinvention contained in the following specification; ref.- erence beinghad to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and in which:

- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a representative form of the deviceadapted to be placed on a floor, a portion thereof being broken away toshows locking means,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, staggered sectional view taken onthe line 2. -2 of Fig. l and showing the condition prevailing whentheobjective of the game or challenge presented to the player has beensuccessfully achieved.

Fig. 3 is a still further enlarged fragmentary section taken on the sameline as Fig. 2 but showhe. the osi i n c upie by the moving parts thehas of Fi 3,

29 c i (01. arse-1) Fig. 5-is a fragmentary View of the resetting meansshown in Fig. 4 with the parts in the posi: tion occupied at th in i oth r set in movement,

Fi 6 is a fragm ntary b t om p an view at t over s wi the ocking m ans oe ntin ntim ly actuation o e w n tur po tion 9f the device,

Fi 7 s a op la ew o the me hanism within th d ic as v ed wh the cove -isremoved,

Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram of the device. and

F g. s a f a m n ec ion taken on. the lin 959, Of Fie- 7 to show the cve orhih means- H In he ill s rated em od n oiihe inve ion, the suppo tg str cture c pr ses a base 1 o frusto -pyramidal form on which ismounted a straight sided case or housing 2 having a bottom 3 and s d s4; 5 15 a d 1 on which. tain of he oerat ngelements remounted s wi lboater d cr in de ail Th top o th cas s closed by acover element 8detachably secured thereto by latch elements 5, 9 a cess to which may behad through t e oor 0 in h si l ment 5- Th s o r als p v s ac ess toaremo able coin receiving tray or box ll resting on the bot:- tom 3 ofthe case and positioned beneath the coin discharge chute l2 of a coinactuated'slide element 13 attached to and extendingthrough the'wall 4above the door It. A-key operated lock 14 serves to secure the door inclosed position.

The cover 8 has a large circular opening [5 ex.- tending therethroughand mounted on the upper face of the cover is a ring. [6 ofelectricall-yxnonr conductive material securedthereto by a series ofbolts l7. As best shown in'Fig.-2..th-is ring has an inner. diameterwhich is considerably larger than the opening [5 and is spacedfrom theouter diameter of a second ring [8 otelectrie cally HOHrCDIl-dllCfiVBmaterial which is rigidly secured to the upper .face of: the cover 8:and slightly overlaps the opening IS. The outer :upper corner of thering i8 is beveled and supports" the outer lower edge or" ametalbottommember 18 of frustor-conic'al form, the upper smaller diameterof. whichis considerably-smaller thanthe opening. [5 and provides an operatingclearance for the supporting means ofv a table element-20 which willlater be described in more detail.

Mounted on the upper face of: the. ring I6 is the flan e 2| of avertically disposed metal band 22 to the upper inner surface ofwhichissecured a relatively heavy metal band 23. .Dis-posed within the band22 is a metal sidewall element 240:

smaller end resting on the upper face of the ring |6 substantiallyadjacent to the inner diameter thereof and with its upper larger endcarrying an insulating element of inverted U-section engaged by thelower edge of the band 23. A dome 26 of transparent material is mountedon the upper edge of the band 23 and is secured thereon by a series ofscrews 21 extending through the upper end of a metal band 28 which issecured to the inner face of the band 23 by screws 29. The dome isprovided with an opening 3|} at its top in which is mounted a rubbergrommet 3| in which a rod 32 of non-conductive material is looselymounted. The rod within the dome carries a hook element 33 to engage theplaying pieces 33 as will be later described, and a stop collar 34 tolimit the extent of endwise movement through the grommet. At its outerend the rod carries a knob element 35 to facilitate manipulation whileoperating the device. In the form here illustrated, the playingpiecesare metal cubes having centrally disposed holes in each faceadaptedto be engaged by the hook 33 (see Fig. 2).

The table element 20 is mounted on the upper end of a tubular metalsupport 36 and, preferably, is disposed slightly eccentric thereto. Thesupport 35 at its lower end tapers to a small flat seat 31 engaged bythe upper face of a metal uplifting element 38 provided with a guide pin39 which loosely extends into the interior of the support 36 (seeFig.2).

The lifting element includes a downwardly extending portion 40 which isseated ina nonconductive bushing 4| in the upper end of a push rod 42mounted for vertical reciprocation in a bearing'block 43' forming partof the frame structure for the table operating means. The bearing blockat one side is provided with a vertical slot 44 through which extends alaterally disposed rod '45 one end of which is threaded into the pushrod 46 adapted to operate a switch 41 in the manner and for a purpose tobe later described in detail.

The'table operating means is mounted on a block 48 fixed to the casebottom 3 and the frame structure of this means comprises a horizontalbase plate 49 of flat rectangular section and a pair of side members 50,50 of vertically disposed rectangular section extending along theopposite side edges of the base plate 49; the block 43 being mounted onthe upper edges of the side mem-- bers' and secured thereto by plates50, 50' and screws 43. Slidably mounted on the. guideway formed by thebase plate and the side members is anactuating element comprising a.pair of rectangular bars 5|, 5| connected together in spaced relation attheiropposite ends. One end of the actuating element is connected by ascrew 52 to .the slide l3 for actuation thereby and a pair of guideelements 53, 53 fixed to the inner faces of the side members 5|), 50engage the upper faces of the actuating element members 5|, 5| to holdthem against any movement other than endwise.

Pivotally mounted on the actuating element adjacent the distal endthereof and disposed between the members 5|, 5| is a swinging camelement 54 normally urged by a spring 55 into engagement with a stop pin56 as best shown in Fig. 2. When a coin is inserted in the slidemechanism 3, the slide can be moved into the case and this will move theactuating element with it causing the end of the cam 54 to engage theroller .51 carried by the push rod 42 and to be caused to swing againstthe bias of the spring to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3and thence under and past the roller at which time the spring 55 willswing it back into its normal position. Then as the slide I3 is pulledback to its starting position the curved upper surface of the cam willengage the roller 51 (see Fig. 5), and elevate the push rod 42 until thenotch 58 in the side thereof is engaged by the latch 59 slidably mountedin the block 43. Externally of the block 43, the latch is connected by apin 60 to one end of the armature 6| of a solenoid 52 secured to a pairof bars 53, 63 attached to the sides of the block 43 and extendingtoward the rear of the device (see Fig. 7). Adjacent the connection withthe end of the latch, the armature 6| carries a laterally disposed crossbar 64, the ends of which are engaged by a pair of tension springs 65,65 which at their other ends are attached to pins 66, 66 carried by thebars 63, 63 and which tend constantly to move the armature and latchtoward the push rod 42 to insure the latching action when the push rodis raised by the cam 54.

Mounted on the upper face of the block 43 and insulated therefrom is ametal sleeve 6'! disposed concentrically with respect to the push rod 42and the lifting element 38 carried thereby. A spring. contact member 58is mounted on the interior of the sleeve and is insulated therefrom andis positioned to be contacted by the contact point 69 on the liftingelement 38 only when that element is raised to the latched position ofthe push rod shown in Fig. 2. Exteriorly of the sleeve, the contact 68is electrically connected to a binding post 10 to which certain leads ofthe electrical system are connected as will be described in connectionwith the description of Fig. 8. The exterior of the sleeve 61 carries abinding post H to which other leads of the electrical system areconnected as will also be described in connection with Fig. 8/

The coin return means includes a coin holding chute or tube 12 adaptedto hold a stack of coins and having its lower end spaced from thesupporting base 13 a distance slightly greater than the thickness of onecoin. Pivotally mounted on the base 13 is a lever 14 one end of which isadapted to pass beneath the tube 12 and to push a coin therefrom intothe hopper or chute 15 extending through the wall 4 of the case. Theheads of screws 16 and TI threaded into the base 13 serve as stops tolimit the extent of movement of the lever 14 and a tension spring I8normally holds the lever retracted from beneath the tube 12 and againstthe stop screw ll. Preferably, the coin engaging edge of the lever 14 isslightly concave to prevent side-wise movement of a coin when engagedthereby. The opposite end of the lever 14 is connected by a rod 19 withthe armature of a solenoid 8| mounted on the bottom 3 of the case. Thearmature also carries an upwardly extending arm 82 adapted uponenergizing the solenoid and movement of the armature to engage anactuating arm 83 of a normally open microswitch 84. Additionally, thearmature also carries a laterally extending striker 85 adapted tocontact a bell 86 mounted on the wall I of the case. r

The bottom l9 and side wall of the playing area are connected in serieswith the secondary coil 81 of a transformer 88 and with the field coil89 of a solenoid mounted on the under side of the cover 8. The playingpieces are of metal and so long as one of them is in contact with thebottom l9 and side wall 24, the circuit tom 19 and sidewall 24, themagnetic pull on K the armature 9I. will cease and the tension spring 94attached to the stop plate 9| will move the stop plate so that itsperforation is in line with'the perforations in the lock mechanism,permitting the button to be pressed downwardly and tocontact and closea-snap switch 95 carried by a bracket 96 on the upper portion of thefront wall' 4. Closing this switch "completes a circuit through thesolenoid 8| causing the armature thereof to move-the lever I4 withresultant discharge of a coin into the chute or hopper I5. Since thecover 8 and the parts carried thereby must occasionally be removed fromthe case for inspection and adjustment of the parts within the case andsince the solenoid 89 and its armature as well as the bottom and sidewall 24 are electrically connected to the parts mounted in the case, it"has beenfound expedient to employ afour contact plug and socketconnectionineluding asocket 91 mounted on the bottom 3 of the case. Asis usual with such plug and socket devices the inter-engaging parts areso arranged that .they can not be improperly put together. Additionally,if desired, a lamp 98 may be included in the circuit and mounted withinthe case so that light therefrom will indicate that the. device is readyfor operation.

Turning now to Fig. 8, one side 99 of the power lead extends through theprimary coil I of the transformer 88 from which a lead |0I extends tothe binding post I0. A second lead I02 extends from the power lead 99through the plug 91 to one side of the snap switch 95 from the otherside of which, a lead I03 extends through the plug '91 to one side ofthe solenoid 8| and a lead I04 extends from the other side of thesolenoid 8| to the binding post 10. The light 98 is connected in seriesin a lead I05 extending from the lead I02 to the binding post Ill. Thesolenoid 02 is connected in series with the lead I06 and the bindingpost II by leads I06 and I01 and the switch is connected in seriesbetween the binding posts in and II by leads I08 and I09; Leads H0 andII I connect the switch 41 with the other DO line .2. Also, aspreviously mentioned, the leads II 3 and II 4 which connect the sidewall24 and bottom I9 of the playing area with the secondarycoil 81 of thetransformer and the coil of the solenoid 89 extend through the separableplug connection 91.

The operation of the machine is as follows: Assuming that the machine isin the condition shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the player inserts a coin inthe socket in the slide I3 and pushes the slide into the'machine as faras it will go, causingthe cam 54 to swing under the roller 51 asindicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and then to be swung back in itsnormal position as soon as it has cleared the roller. The slide is thenpulled forward as far as it will go and the cam face engaging the roller51 will lift it and the push rod 42 as well as the parts, including thetable supported thereby until the latch '59 is moved into the notch 58by the spring 65, 65, locking these parts in elevated position. Thecontinued forward movement of'the slide locks it"against furthermovement into the case untillkeyed by the insertion of another coin.This elevation of the table 20 also brings the spring contact memberinto engagement with the contact point and simultaneously the rod 45will swing the arm 40 to close the switch 41. When the parts are in thisposition, current will flow through the lamp circuit comprising leads99, I05, binding post I0, lead II 0, switch 41 and leads III and H2. Thetransformer primary coil I00 is also energized by the circuit includingleads 99 and IN, the binding post I0 and leads I I0, I II and H2 withthe interposed switch 41. The transformer secondary circuit is connectedin series with the field coil 89 of the solenoid so long as at least oneof the pieces 33' is in contact with the bottom wall I9 and side wall 24of the playing area and this will cause the armature 9| to maintain thestop plate out of registry with the perforations in the lock mechanism92 to render it inope erative.

Due to the fact that the lifting element 38 is insulated from the restof the mechanism no cur-. rent can flow from the binding post 70 to thebinding post 'iI while the parts are in this position. The player thenattempts to place the pieces one by one on the table 20-without causingit to tip. If' it becomes unbalanced sufliciently' to cause the side ofthe support 30 to contact the sleeve 61, as indicated in dotted lines inFig. 2, current immediately flows from the binding post I0 through thecontacts 68 and 69, thence through the support 36 and sleeve 61 to thebinding post II and thence through the support 36 and sleeve Bl to thebinding post "II and thence through the solenoid 62 and lead I06 to thelead IGI. The armature 6| of the solenoid 62 will pull the latch 59 outof the notch 58 in the push rod and the combined weight of such piecesas are not tipped off of the table by the initial tilting thereof and ofthe table and its support will cause the table and its lifting means todrop to the position shown in Fig. 3 at which time the upper inner edgeof the sleeve 6'! will cause the support 38 to assume its normal uprightposition. This movement opens the contacts 68 and 69 and opens theswitch 97 and the machine is thus rendered ready for the next operation.I

Assuming now that the player is successful in stacking all but one ofthe pieces 33"on the table 20 without tilting it, he then lifts the lastpiece clear of the side and bottom walls 24an d I9 breaking thetransformer secondary circuit and allowing the spring 96 to release thelocking mechanism. He then presses the button 93 the shank whereofcloses the switch 95, whereupon a circuit is closed extending from theleads 99 and I02 through the switch to solenoid 8| and lead I04 to thebinding post I0 thence through leads I|0, switch 47 and lead III to leadH2. The armature 80 will cause a coin to be dis charged by the meanspreviously described and incident to that movement, the arm 82will'close switch 84 which is in series with theybinding post II andtherefore will operate to energize solenoid 62 in the same manner asthough the table had been tipped and set the machine for the nextplayer.

While in the foregoing specification, I have described and illustratedone mode of execution of my invention, I do not intend thereby to limitmyself to the exact form disclosed, and the in: vention includes allsuch modifications of parts and of the construction, combination andarrangement of parts as shall come within the purview of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1.;In a: ,coin-released game of skill, a base, a

wall structure defining an enclosed playing area containing apluralityof fiat sided playing elements mounted on 'said base, a manually oper--able hook freely mounted in an opening in the wall structure adapted toengage said elements, a vertically movable balanced table memberprojecting through the bottom wall of said play ing area, a coinreleased, manually operable means for elevating said table, a latchcarried by said base and to support said table in elevated position; andmeans effective to release said latch with incident dropping of saidtable when the table is caused to tilt to a predetermined extent byimproper placing of said playing pieces thereon.- 2. In an electricallyoperated, coin released game of skill, a hollow base enclosing operatingdevices therefore, an enclosed playing field disposed on the top of saidbase, comprising a transparent, dome-shaped top portion, an electricallyconductive side wall and an electrically conductive bottom wallinsulated from said side wall, a plurality of electrically conductiveplaying elements contained in said playing field and normally effectiveto maintain electrically conductive connection between said side andbottom walls means extending through said dome for transporting saidplaying elements to a supporting surface out of electrical contact withsaid walls, coin released devices operable to render said game operativefor playing, a manually releasable, electrically operated coin returnmeans including electrically operated devices operably connected withsaid coin return means effective to prevent operation of said returnmeans when electrical connection between side and bottom walls throughone or more of said playing elements exists.

3. In an electrically operated, coin-released game of skill, an enclosedplaying area comprising a transparent, top portion having an opening atthe top thereof, a metal side wall and a metal bottom wall electricallyinsulated from said side wall, an opening in said bottom wall, avertically movable balanced table member extending through said openingin said bottom wall, coin-released, manually operable means forelevating said table, a latch effective to lock said table in elevatedposition, a plurality of electrically conductive playing elements insaid playing area, means extending through said top portion fortransporting said elements to said table, and

electrically operated means efiective to drop said table if said tableshould be unbalanced and tilted to a predetermined extent by theincorrect placement of said elements thereon.

4. In an electrically operated, coin released game of skill an enclosedplaying area comprising a transparent top portion having an openingtherethrough, a circular metal side wall and a frusto-conical metalbottom wall electrically insulated from said side wall, a plurality ofmetal playing elements in said area and normally caused to contact saidside wall by the slope of said botf tom wall and thereby to complete anelectrical circuit between said walls, a vertically movable balancedtable member extending through said opening in said bottom wall,coin-released, manually operable means for elevating said table, a latcheffective to lock said table in elevated position, means extendingthrough said top portion for transporting said'elements to saidtable,'and electrically operated means efiective to drop said table ifsaid table should be unbalanced and tilted to a predetermined extent bythe incorrect placement of said elements thereon.

5. In an electrically operated, coin-released game of skill, an enclosedplaying area comprising a transparent top portion having an opening atthe top thereof, a metal side wall and a metal bottom wall electricallyinsulated from said side wall, an opening in said bottom wall, avertically movable balanced table member extending through said openingin said bottom wall, coinreleased, manually operable means for elevatingsaid table, a latch elfective to lock said table inelevated position, aplurality of electrically conductive playing elements in said playingarea,

means extending through said top portion for.

transporting said elements to said table, electrically operated meanseffective to drop said table if said table should be unbalancedand'tilted to a predetermined extent by the incorrect placement of saidelements thereon, and a manually releasable coin return means includingelectrically controlled devices effective to prevent operation of saidreturn means except when electrical connection between said bottom andside walls is interrupted by the removal of all playing elements fromcontact therewith.

6. In an electrically operated, coin released game of skill, an enclosedplaying area comprising a transparent top portion having an openingtherethrough, a circular metal side wall and a frusto-conical metalbottom wall electrically insulated from said side wall, a plurality ofmetal playing elements in said area and normally caused to contact saidside wall by the slope of said bottom wall and thereby to complete anelectrical circuit between said walls, a vertically movable balancedtable member extending through said opening in said bottom wall,coin-released, manually operable means for elevating said table, a latcheffective to lock said table in elevated position, means extendingthrough said top portion for transporting said elements to said table,electrically operated means effective to drop said table if said tableshould be unbalanced and tilted to a predetermined extent by theincorrect placement of said elements thereon, and a manually releasablecoin return means including electrically controlled devices effective toprevent operation of said return means except when electrical connectionbetween said bottom and side walls is interrupted by the removal of allplaying elements from contact therewith.

7. In a coin-released game of skill, a wall struc: ture defining anenclosed playing area containing a plurality of fiat sided playingelements, a manually operable hook freely mounted in an opening in thewall structure constructed and arranged to engage and transport saidelements, a vertically movable, balanced table member projecting throughthe bottom wall of said playing area, a coin released, manually operablemeans for rendering the game operative for playing comprising a coinreleased manually operable element, a cam connected to and reciprocatedby said element, a frame structure including guide means for avertically reciprocable push rod disposed above the path of travel ofsaid cam, an electrically conductive, table supporting element carriedby and insulated from said push rod, a metal sleeve carried by andinsulated from said guide means and disposed concentrically with respectto said push rod, electrical contact means arranged to be closed whensaid push rod is at its highestposition, a spring biased latch eflectiveto lock said push rod when raised by said cam, a normally open switchmechanically connected to said push rod and positioned to be closed whenthe push rod is elevated by said cam,-a solenoid attached to said'latch,electrical leads affording ameans of connection to a source ofelectrical energy and other leads connecting said first leads with saidcontact means, sleeve, switch and solenoid arranged so that in'the eventsaid table is tilted sufiiciently to contact said sleeve, a. circuitwill be closed throughsaid solenoid and thearmature thereof will becaused to release said latch and allow the push rod and table to dropand render the game inoperative until reset by insertion of anothercoin,

. ,8. 'In an electrically operated coin released game of skill, a hollowbase portion, a removable cover on said base having a central openingtherethrough, an enclosed playin field mounted on said cover comprisinga transparent top portion having an opening therethrough, a metal sidewall and a metal bottom wall electrically insulated from said side walland having a central-ly disposed opening in alignment with the openingin said cover,.a series of metal cubes in said playing fieldhaving holesor sockets in the sides thereof, a rod extending through the opening insaid top portion having a hook adapted to engage the sockets in saidcubes for lifting the same, a vertically movable, balanced table memberprojecting. through the bottom wall of said playing area, a coinreleased, manually operable means for elevating said table, va springbiased latch operable to lock said table in elevated position andrelease means connected to withdraw said latch from table supportingposition when the table is caused to tilt to a predetermined extentbyimproper placing of said playing pieces thereon.

9. In an electrically operated coin released game of skill, a hollowbase portion, a removable cover on said base having a central openingtherethrough, an enclosed playing field mounted on said cover comprisinga transparent top por tion having an opening therethrough, a metal sidewall and a metal bottom wall electrically insulated from said side walland having. a cen-' trally disposed opening in. alignment with theopening in said cover, a series of. metal cubes'in isaid playingfield'having holes or sockets in the sides thereof, a rod extendingthrough the open- ;ing insaid top portion having a hook adapted toengagethe sockets in said cubes for lifting the same, coin releaseddevices operable to render said game operative for playing, a manuallyrep leasable coin return means and electrically operated: devicesconnected thereto effective to prevent operation of said control meanswhen electrical connection between side and bottom Walls through one ormore of said playin elements exists.

. 10. In an electrically operated, coin-released game of skill, anenclosed playing area compris- :ing.a transparent top portion having anopening therethrouglna circular metal side wall and a frustoconicahmetal bottom wall electrically insulatedfrom said side wall,a:plurality oimetal playing elements in said area and normallycausedte-contact said sidewall by the slope-of said bottom wall andthereby to complete an electrical.circuitbetween said walls, a freelydirigible, manually operable arm element mounted in and extendingthroughssaid opening and terminating in a hook operable by said arm toengage and transport said playing elements to a location in saidplaying-area inwhich said playing elements areout of electricalcontactwith said side walls, a playing element supporting surface mounted insaid playing area constituting said location, coin released: devicesoperableto render said game operative for playing, a manually controlledcoin return means and electrically operated devices connected theretoefiective to prevent operation of said return means when electricalconnection between side and bottom walls through one. or more of saidplaying elements exists.

11. In anelectrically operated coin released game of skill, a hollowbase portion, a removable cover on said base having a central openingtherethrough, an enclosed playing field mounted on said cover comprisinga transparent top portion having an opening therethrough, a metal sidewall and a metal bottom wall electrically in.- sulated from said sidewall and having a centrally disposed opening in alignment with theopening in said cover, a series of metal cubes in said playing fieldhaving holes or sockets in the sides thereof, a rod extending throughthe opening in said top portion having a hook adapted .to engage thesockets in said cubes for lifting the same, a table in said playingfield having a downwardly extending portion loosely engaging saidsupporting element, operating means comprising a. coin released manuallyoperable element'a cam connected to and reciprocated by said element, aframe structure including guide means for a vertically reciprocable pushrod disposed above the pathof travel of said earn, an electricallyconductive, table supporting element carried by and insulated from'saidpush rod, a metal sleeve carried by and insulated from said guide meansanddisposed concentrically with respect to said pushrod, electricalcontact means arrangedwto be closed when said push rod is at'its highestposition, a spring biased latch effective to lock said push rod whenraised by saidcam, a normally open-switch mechanically connected to saidpush rod and adapted to be closed when the push rod is elevated by saidcam, a solenoid attached to said latch, electrical leads affording ameans of connection to a source of electrical energy and other leadsconnecting said first leads with said contact means, sleeve, switch andsolenoid arranged so that in the event said table is tilted sufficientlyto contact said sleeve, a circuit will be closed through said solenoidand the armature thereof will be caused to release said latch and allowthe push rod and table to drop and render the game inoperative untilreset by insertion of another coin.

12. In an electrically operated, coin released game of skill, ahollowbase enclosing operating devices therefore, an enclosed playing fielddisposed on the top of said base, comprising a transparent,-dome-shapedtop portion, an electrically conductive side wall and an electricallyconductive bottom wall insulated from said side wall, a plurality ofelectrically conductive playing elements contained in said playing fieldandnormally effective to maintain electricallyv conductive connectionbetween said side and bottom walls, means extending through said dome.for transporting said playing elements to a surface removed from saidwalls, coin-released devices operable to render said game operative forplaying comprising a coin released manually operable element, a camconnected to and reciprocatedby said element. a frame structureincludings uide 'means for a vertically reciprocable push rod disposedabove the, path of travel of said cam, an electrically conductive, tablesupporting element carried by and insulated from said guide means anddisposed concentrically with respect to said push rod, electricalcontact means arranged to be closed when said push rod is at its highestposition, a spring biased latch effective to lock said push rod whenraised by said cam, a normally open switch mechanically connected tosaid push rod and arranged to be closed when the push rod is elevated bysaid cam, a solenoid attached to said latch, electrical leads afiordinga means of connection to a source of electrical en ergy and other leadsconnecting said first leads with said contact means, sleeve, switch andsolenoid arranged so that in the event said table is tilted sufiicientlyto contact said sleeve, a circuit will be closed through said solenoidand the armature thereof will be caused to release said latch and allowthe push rod and table to drop and render the game inoperative untilreset by insertion of another coin.

13. In an electrically operated coin-released game of skill, a base, awall structure defining an enclosed playing area containing a pluralityof fiat sided playing elements, mounted on said base a manually operablehook freely mounted in an opening in the wall structure adapted toengage said elements, a vertically movable, balanced table memberprojecting through the bottom wall of said playing area, a coinreleased, manually operable means for elevating said table, a latchcarried by said base normally effective to lock said table in elevatedposition and electrically operable means effective to release said latchwith incident drop ing of said table when the table is caused to tilt toa predetermined extent by improper placing of said playing piecesthereon.

14. In an electrically operated, coin rele sed game of skill, a hollowbase enclosing operating devices therefore; an enclosed playing fielddisposed on the top of said base, comprising a transparent, dome-shapedtop portion, an electrically conductive side wall and an electricallyconductive bottom wall insulated from said side wall, a plurality ofelectrically conductive playing elements contained in said playing fieldand normally effective to maintain electrically conductive connectionbetween said side and bottom walls, means extending through said domefor transporting said playing elements to a position removed from saidwalls, coin released devices operable to render said game operative forplaying, a manually releasable coin return means, and electricallyoperated devices effective to prevent operation of said coin returnmeans when electrical connection between side and bottom walls throughone or more of said playing elements exists; said last-named devicescomprising a solenoid having the field coil thereof connected in seriesin an electrical circuit including said side wall said bottom wall andat least one playing element, and having its armature connected to aspring biased perforated slide element carried by guide means having aperforation disposed in alignment with a perforation in said sideelement when said slide element is at one extreme of its movement, apush button extending through said base to the interior thereof andhaving a portion positioned to pass through the perforations in saidslide and guide means'when said circuit through said side and bottomwalls is broken with resultant release of said armature.

12 and a switch positioned to be engaged by said push button incident toits movement through said perforations connected to operate said coinreturn means.

15. In an electrically operated, coin released game of skill, a hollowbase enclosing operating devices therefore, an enclosed playing fielddisposed on the top of said base, comprising a transparent, dome-shapedtop portion, an electrically conductive side wall and an electricallyconductive bottom wall insulated from said side wall, a plurality ofelectrically conductive playing elements contained in said playing fieldand normally effective to maintain electrically conductive connectionbetween said side and bottom walls, means extending through said domefor transporting said playing elements to a non-conductive location insaid playing field, coin released devices operable to render said gameoperative for playing, a manually releasable coin return means andelectrically operated devices associated therewith elfective to preventoperation of said control means when electrical connection between sideand bottom walls through one or more of said playing elements exists;said last-named devices comprising a solenoid having the field coilthereof connected in series in an electrical circuit including said sidewall said bottom wall and at least one playing element and having itsarmature connected to a spring biased perforated slide element carriedby guide means havingaperforation disposed to be in alignment with theperforation in said slide element when the latter is moved to oneextreme of its movement, a push button extending through said base tothe interior thereof and having a .portion adapted to pass through theperforations in said slide and guide means when said circuit throughsaid side and bottom Walls is broken with resultant release of saidarmature, a switch positioned to be engaged by said push button incidentto its movement through said perforations, a second solenoid connectedto said switch for actuation thereby effective to operate said coinreturn devices, and operated by said coin return devices effective torender said game inoperative for play.

16. In a coin-released game of skill, a base, a wall structure definingan enclosed playing area containing a plurality of flat sided playingelements mounted on said base, a manually operable hook freely mountedin=an opening in the wall structure adapted to engage and transport saidelements, a vertically movable, balanced table member projecting throughthe bottom wall of said playing area, a coin released, manually operablemeans for elevating said table, a latch carried by said base andnormally effective to support said table in elevated position, meanseffective to release said latch when the table is caused to tilt to apredetermined extent by improper placing of said playing pieces thereon,and manually releasable coin return devices effec tive to return a coinonly when the objective of the game has been met by the player.

1'7. In a coin-released game of skill, a base, a wall structure definingan enclosed playing area containing a plurality of fiat sided playingelements mounted on said base, a manually operable hook freely mountedin an opening in the wall structure adapted to engage andtransport'saidelements, a vertically movable balancedtable member projecting throughthe bottom wall of said playing area, a coin released, manually operablemeans for elevating said table, a latch' carried by said base andnormally eifective to support said table in elevated position, meanseffective to release said latch when the table is caused to tilt to apredetermined extent by improper placing of said playing pieces thereon,manually releasable coin return devices effective to return a coin onlywhen the objective of the game has been met by the player, and meansoperated by said coin return devices eifective to render said gameinoperative for play.

18. In an electrically operated, coin released game of skill, a hollowbase enclosing operating devices therefore; an enclosed playing fielddisposed on the top of said base, comprising a transparent, dome-shapedtop portion, an electrically conductive side wall and an electricallyconductive bottom wall insulated from said side wall, a plurality ofelectrically conductive playing elements contained in said playing fieldand normally effective to maintain electrically conductive connectionbetween said side and bottom walls, means extending through said domefor transporting said playing elements to a non-conductive position,coin released devices operable to render said game operative forplaying, a manually releasable coin return means and electricallyoperated devices associated therewith eiiective to prevent operation ofsaid control means when electrical connection between side and bottomwalls through one or more of said playing elements exists; saidlast-named devices comprising a solenoid having the field coil thereofconnected in series in an electrical circuit including said side wallsaid bottom wall and at least one playing element, and having itsarmature connected to a spring biased perforated slide element carriedby guide means having a perforation disposed to be aligned with theslide element perforation when the latter is at one end of its movement,a push button extending through said base to the interior thereof andhaving a portion positioned to pass through the perforations in saidslide and guide means when said circuit through said side and bottomwalls is broken with resultant release of said armature, a switchpositioned to be engaged by said push button incident to its movementthrough said perforations, a solenoid connected to said switch foractuation thereby, and coin return devices operated by said solenoid;said coin return devices comprising a base, a coin stack holder tubehaving the lower end thereof spaced from said base slightly more thanthe thickness of a coin to be stacked in said tube, a lever having oneend thereof disposed to pass beneath said tube and to push the lowermostcoin from the stack of coins into a hopper accessible from the exteriorof the base, and a link connecting the lever to the armature of saidsolenoid for actuation thereby.

19. In a skill game apparatus, a base, a wall structure defining anenclosed playing area containing a plurality of fiat-sided playingelements mounted on said base, a freely dirigible manually operable armelement mounted in and extending through an opening in said wallstructure and terminating in a hook operable by said arm to engage andtransport said playing elements within said playing area, a verticallymovable, balanced table member projecting through the bot tom wall ofsaid playing area, manually operable means for elevating said tablemember, a latch carried by said base and normally effective to supportsaid table in elevated position, and means effective to release saidlatch with incident dropping of said table when the table is caused totilt to a predetermined extent by the improper placing of playing piecesthereon.

20. In a skill game apparatus, a base, a wall structure defining anenclosed playing area containing a plurality of flat-sided playingelements mounted on said base, a freely dirigible manually operable armelement mounted in and extending through an opening in said wallstructure and terminating in a hook operable by said arm to engage andtransport said playing elements within said playing area, a verticallymovable, balanced table member projecting through the bottom wall ofsaid playing area, manually operable means for elevating said tablemember, a latch carried by said base and normally effective to supportsaid table in elevated position, means effective to release said latchwith incident dropping of said table when the table is caused to tilt toa predetermined extent by the improper placing of playing piecesthereon, and devices effective to restore said table to a balancedposition when the table is caused to drop.

CHESTER A. FRICK.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Brewer Jan. 30, 1945Number

